In a match that laid bare the simmering tensions at the Santiago Bernabeu, a Kylian Mbappe penalty and a Raul Asencio header secured a functional, if unconvincing, 2-0 victory for Real Madrid against Levante. The three points, however, did little to mask the underlying discontent, as sporadic boos rained down on a sluggish team performance and, notably, on the misfiring Vinicius Jr.
The atmosphere was fraught from the outset, with the home crowd voicing its displeasure in the first match since the sacking of Xabi Alonso and a shock Copa del Rey exit to Albacete. The team’s first-half display did nothing to quell the unrest. Under interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa, Madrid looked tactically disjointed and lethargic, with a double-pivot of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga offering little creativity against a compact Levante.
The much-vaunted attacking trio failed to ignite. Jude Bellingham was uncharacteristically wasteful in possession, while Vinicius Jr’s every misplaced touch was met with audible groans from the stands. Only a bursting run from Mbappe, who smashed wide after 32 minutes, provided a glimpse of threat in a sterile opening 45 minutes.
The second half brought immediate change, both in personnel and performance. Arda Guler replaced the ineffective Camavinga, and his introduction proved transformative. The Turkish playmaker added the missing link in midfield, threading passes and driving forward with purpose.
The breakthrough came just ten minutes after the restart. Mbappe, suddenly finding more space, used his blistering pace to get goal-side of his marker and was hauled down in the box. The French superstar coolly dispatched the penalty, offering a sigh of relief that echoed around the stadium.
With Levante forced to open up, spaces appeared. Guler’s influence grew, and it was his perfectly delivered corner that found centre-back Raul Asencio, who powered home a header to double the lead and effectively seal the game.
While the result was secured, questions remained. Levante still found chances on the break, exposing a occasionally uncertain defence. For all their individual talent, Madrid’s attack still lacks the fluid synergy fans expect. The performances of Bellingham and Vinicius, in particular, fell well below their stellar standards.
For Arbeloa, it’s a winning start, but not a convincing one. The victory papered over the cracks of a troubled period, proving that while Mbappe can bail them out, a more cohesive and spirited performance will be demanded when the boos next begin to ring out.
